Named to the National Film Registry in 2007, "Our Day" is a day-in-the-life portrait of the Kelly family of Lebanon, Kentucky. Wallace Kelly's amateur cast was made up of his mother, wife, brother, and pet terrier. The film documents a modern home inhabited by adults with sophisticated interests and simple ones. Kelly, a newspaperman, was also an accomplished photographer, painter, and writer. He began shooting film in 1929 and continued until the 1950s.


This movie is part of the collection: Home Movies

Director: Wallace Kelly
Producer: Center for Home Movies
Audio/Visual: silent, black & white
Language: English
Keywords: home movie; amateur film; National Film Registry; Kentucky; Wallace Kelly

Creative Commons license: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States

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Reviewer: Unmasker - - May 21, 2011
Subject: Waking Up Fairly Rich in Pre-WW2 America
A well-to-do 1930's family wakes up and goes through their day thanks to the driving force of the grandmother and berserk, cat-chewing dog. After perhaps an hour's work they come home and play games. And oh, look! There's the Negro cook. Silent but well photographed.

Reviewer: aswegohomestead - - May 30, 2010
Subject: A Remarkable Treasure
I couldn't stop watching once I got started. I am old enough to remember those times. This was a "feel good" film. Excellent camera work, editing and production. Well worth the download. And the terrier is a riot!!! especially with the cat LOL. Watch it and enjoy!

Reviewer: qrper - - June 19, 2009
Subject: advanced amateur
This fellow had an idea of what he was doing. Especially appreciated his steady camera and lack of wildly panning shots. Expected to see Andy Hardy flying down the stairs. Very enjoyable.

Reviewer: goldensmile - - January 2, 2009
Subject: Well worth the watch
This is well worth the download. Staged, yes but who had film cameras in the 30's. This is a daily ritual movie with a fairly well off family. However a lot of what you will see is very true to life for the middle class of the time.

Great kitchen scenes.

Reviewer: ERD. - - December 19, 2008
Subject: Our Day is delightful
I really enjoyed watching this 1938 middle class all adult family going through their daily routines. It looked so ideal. Their terrier dog was a charmer. Film is in excellent condition for its age.

Credits

Filmmaker: Wallace McElroy Kelly
Cast: Mattie (Mrs. Oliver) Kelly - his mother
Mabel Graham Kelly - his wife
Oliver G. Kelly - his brother, editor of The Lebanon Enterprise